FAQs

What forms of payments do you accept?

How can I safely submit my documents?

What are your hours of operation during tax season?
Sun-Mon, Thurs-Sat 9am-5pm
Lunch Break 12pm-130pm (no one is in the office)
By appointment only

How long will my appointment be?
The duration of your appointment depends on the completeness and organization of your provided documents and expenses to our team prior. Overall service entails a 5-Step process.

1.    Book an appointment on our website.
2. Client portal registration. New clients or returning clients who did not file with us in the tax year 2020 and on will need to register for a secure portal to share all documents. A team member will reach out to assist you or send you instructions. One time fee applies. More details from our team.
3.   Days before your appointment to review the final tax return with your preparer, a designated team member will contact you to gather any additional information pertaining to your tax preparation (documents, expenses, changes in status, anything that can affect your tax return, basically your life story.. etc) We are here to listen and put you in the best scenario possible for your taxes.
4.    One of our professionals will go through the final review with you during your chosen appointment time. We go through with you your entire tax return and invoice. Any questions or minor changes can be made then.
5.    We submit your tax return and wait for a confirmation from the respective tax agencies; namely, the IRS and state tax boards. You will automatically be notified via email by our software.

What do I need to bring?
You can view the list of documents needed on our website by clicking here.
Upload all of your reportable tax documents when you book your appointment.
New clients or returning clients who did not file with us in the tax year 2020 and on will need to register for a secure portal to share all documents. One time fee applies. More details from our team.

How much will it cost?
You can view our rates on our website by clicking here.

Can you take payment for service out of my refund?
Payments CANNOT be taken from your refund amount and is illegal according to IRS code of ethics for a professional, even if a client signs off on it. It would’ve been convenient for true professionals... but for con artists as well. Rest assured that it’s for your protection.

Can I schedule a group appointment with my whole family?
Yes. You can do that by going to the calendar. Each person would need to fill out their own questionnaire. You can search for time slots that can work for your group. If it is not available, be sure to request for a group appointment on the comment section of the questionnaire. We will try our best to accommodate.

When will I get my refund?
The pandemic has led to delays in many aspects of the IRS, refunds included. It may take longer than usual.
The IRS issues most refunds in less than 21 days.
Due to the delays of the pandemic, we have seen taxpayers getting refunds of delayed times up to 10 months.
Some returns may require additional time and the IRS explains it here: https://www.irs.gov/individuals/refund-timing

IRS refund status can be found here: https://www.irs.gov/refunds
California FTB refund status can be found here: https://www.ftb.ca.gov/refund/index.asp

When is the tax deadline?
You can find the filing deadlines on our homepage www.richardcolins.com.
If you don’t think you can make the deadline, there’s no need to worry. You can file an extension to get an additional 6 months.

State extensions may have different rules. Visit your respective state website for proper instructions and rules.

Can you file my extension for me?
There are certain rules where penalties and interest may apply even if an extension is filed. To file a “proper” extension free of penalties and interest, additional information and planning is required. The fee for a “proper” extension is on our website. Email us and a team member can assist you with that.

Otherwise, you can file their own extensions free with the links below.

IRS: https://www.esmarttax.com/why-esmart-tax/extensions/
California State Franchise Tax Board: https://www.ftb.ca.gov/file/when-to-file/extension-to-file.html
For all other states, you may refer to your respective state’s tax agency website.
Instructions for DIY extensions: https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/extension-of-time-to-file-your-tax-return

Does my spouse need to come to the appointment?
Spouse does not need to be on the call. For security reasons, we would need open communication with your spouse via phone call or video call. We may request to verify your spouse’s identity with a social security card, driver’s license, and a third form of qualified verification; as well as sending us a picture with all 3 forms of verification held next to the face along with a printed piece of article from a known media company or newspaper visibly stating the current date.

We know you think it sounds pretty extreme, but could you imagine if your ex-spouse came in prior without you knowing, filed your joint tax return, left with your entire refund of $XX,XXX, and you go home to find that your spouse’s closet was completely empty and nowhere to be found… You’d thank us then. There are stranger things.

Do I have to come into your office for an appointment?
All appointments are virtual.
We do a phone conference but with security measures. For your protection and security, we may request to verify your identity with a social security card, driver’s license, and a third form of qualified verification; as well as sending us a picture with all 3 forms of verification held next to the face along with a printed piece of article from a known media company or newspaper visibly stating the current date. Returning and new clients alike. A team member may request a video conference to verify identity.

There have been many instances in the tax field, as seen on the news in past years, where thieves have stolen W2s and posed at the taxpayer, taking their refund fraudulently. We have the obligation to protect our clients from identity theft. In light of this, we have put this process in place to make sure it never happens to you.

Do you give discounts for referrals?
We have not done any marketing or advertising since the birth of this company. Due to high demands and shortage of appointment slots throughout the tax season reserved exclusively for our family, friends, and their friends, we do not offer any discount for referrals.

Can I do more than one year of taxes during my appointment?
Yes. Let our team know in the comment section of your appointment request. Be sure to send all tax documents for all years you would like us to file while booking your appointment so that we may allot for the correct amount of time for your appointment

Do you take walk-ins?
No. You must make an Appointment on our website at www.RichardColins.com or have gotten special instruction from one of our team members.

How can I get a copy of my past tax returns?
Log into your client portal by going to our website www.richardcolins.com. You have access to all your own files. If you have not been working with us for 3 or more calendar years, we may no longer have your documents due to a professional’s 3 years statute of limitations to keeping a taxpayer’s information. Fees apply to document requests for terminated clients.

If you are inquiring about a return that we have filed for you in prior years before 2020 tax year returns, check your inbox/archives for copies that were sent to you on the day of your appointment, inclusive of your original services paid. The taxpayer is responsible to for the safe keeping of their tax return and tax documents. Due to storage and operation costs, our fees for additional copies are listed below.

Each Federal IRS soft/hard tax return copy is 275.

Each State soft/hard tax return copy is 275.

How can I get a copy of my 1095 Health Insurance Coverage Form?
If you have Health Insurance with your company most 1095B/1095C Forms will be sent to your home address or you can contact your HR department to obtain your 1095 Form as well.

Health Marketplace 1095-A Forms are available at : https://www.healthcare.gov/tax-form-1095/

First Time Home Buyer Credit or Repayment of it
Homes purchased between the qualifying period of 2008 - 2010 and for military until 2011 received a $7,500 credit that functioned like an interest free loan to be repaid within a 15 year course. If your tax return is getting rejected and you are not sure why, there may be a chance that the IRS wants to get the credit back from you based on certain qualifications. You can get the full details by clicking here… https://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc611